shandy

I've got 10 or 11 on my layout and, as with others on here, have suffered a number of failures.

My layout is DCC and the signals have been set up using Train-Tech SC3 dual signal controllers, the failures I've encountered have mostly been of a mechanical nature, where the activation mechanism in the base of the unit has "given up the ghost".

I did replace the first failed unit with another but as more and more have packed up I've decided to live with them as static units until I get around to powering them via a servo-type approach - current thoughts are to strip the base apart and activate the signal using Cobalt digital motors, which would have the added advantage of the signal "remembering" which way it is set. 

That's been another annoying "feature" of these units - that they don't know if they are on/off - even with the train tech decoders they end up out of sync with the layout control panels.

A pity really - nice idea is but the design and execution sadly lets the product down, I shan't be spending any more money on them....

Just been "testing" my sound fitted Victory on the rolling road -- very impressive indeed.

Well the rolling road just isn't adequate and the loft layout is still way too far away from even being started - so I've been cobbling together a test plank - it's about 10 foot long comes apart into two bits and will have a couple of points on it - very Heath-Robinson, made out of bits of old scrap so no expense incurred but hopefully I'll have something to run a loco on tomorrow :-)

Update time folks - with boring predictability 2 further failures with the n gauge variety of (non) working semaphore over Christmas.

- ratio signal kits ordered - power of imagination more reliable than (non) working semaphore !

 

Open goal for anyone who makes a working LQ signal which can function for more than 12 months with a better survival rate. Any chance DJM ?

 

If a loco mechanism was this fragile I would anticipate fully justified Fawltyesque ranting on here. As it is, I wonder how typical my experience is and just how many others have failed.

 

Cumulative cost is significant.

 

I'll be very very wary of purchasing the brackets when (if) they appear. Will probably wait for reports from others with deeper pockets than myself before going near them.

 

Update over.

 

Happy New Year all.

Matt W

I've had two fail over the last couple of weeks on my N gauge layout, this is in addition to another failure earlier in the year, with the earlier failure I replaced the signal but am loath to continue this route as it's very expensive at around £30 a pop.

I had the signals set up on DCC using train tech SC3  controllers - again not a cheap option and also not infallible as the signals go out of sync with the control panels/mimic boards. 

I think longer term as more of the signals fail (I've a total of 9 on the layout) I'll butcher the mechanism and control them using either servos or Cobalt digital motors, not ideal but I suspect more reliable in the long term. With the benefit of hindsight it's been a very expensive and unreliable way of signalling the layout

Just been "testing" my sound fitted Victory on the rolling road -- very impressive indeed.

Mine arrived yesterday while I was away too, and I'm not allowed to see it until Christmas Day either.

Well done Minerva

Received a message today that my Sound fitted DCC Victory is on its way.

Thank you guys, very much looking forward to receiving it.

Keep building them and I'll keep buying them 

Fantastic news, really looking forward to getting mine - order #9 & DCC Fitted - just in time for Santa too.

Well done chaps.

Very nice Chris

Very nice detailing work indeed.

Really interesting thread Duncan, I like the idea of the track on two levels.

The Jinty looks great 

Steve